A study on pragmatic adaptation of translation in order to achieve equivalence: on the example of the translation of the novel “A dream of red mansions”

Abstract

Aim. To define the concept of pragmatic adaptation of translation, to consider its types and to analyse pragmatic adaptation of translation to achieve equivalence on the example of the translation of the novel “A Dream of Red Mansions”.
Methodology. The authors examine the definitions of “translation adaptation” and “pragmatic adaptation of translation”. Furthermore, the authors describe the pragmatic adaptation of translation to achieve equivalence in the translation of the novel “A Dream of Red Mansions”. The main methods used in the study are the descriptive method and the inductive method.
Results. In the research, pragmatic adaptation of translation is defined as a type of translation adaptation, which transforms or rewrites at the pragmatic level of the source text in translation to fit the linguistic and cultural situation in the target language. It is shown that V. A. Panasyuk uses five methods of pragmatic adaptation of translation to achieve equivalence, which are addition, annotation, omission, abstraction and specification. It is concluded that the pragmatic adaptation of translation can provide an adequate understanding and convey the emotional impact of the source text.
Research implications. The study extends the definition of translation pragmatic adaptation and enriches the content of translation adaptation. In addition, the results of this study will continue to promote Chinese literature to the world.